Morehead – October 27, 2016
Matt, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that the inshore speckled trout and redfish bite has been on fire, with anglers catching their limits of both before lunch on most days. The Radio Island rock jetty has been the center of action for both species.
Various soft plastics such as Gotcha grubs, H & R grubs, Z-Man shrimp, Gulp shrimp, Vudu shrimp, and DOA grubs have been producing the best action, but suspending twitch baits like the MirrOlure 17MR and 22MR will also tempt bites from both species.
The Cape Lookout rock jetty has been holding plenty of trout and reds, too, and they are taking interest in the same baits.
Further inshore, anglers are finding plenty of speckled trout and reds in the Haystacks, Middle Marsh, Spooner’s Creek, Taylor’s Creek, North River, Harker’s Island, Core Creek, and creeks off of the ICW. Live shrimp under a popping cork has been the best method of connecting with both species, and the occasional black drum has also been fooled using live shrimp. Anglers are also connecting with both trout and reds using soft plastic jerkbaits and spinnerbaits, and there has been a decent topwater bite in the morning.
The inshore flounder bite has picked up recently, with large numbers of fish coming from the Port Wall. Live mullet on Carolina rigs and flounder rigs have been the best baits to connect with the flatfish. Anglers have found that 2 oz. Spro bucktails tipped with 4” white Gulp shrimp have also been fooling plenty of fish. Target the flounder around docks and bridges on the ICW using the same methods.
Surf anglers are reporting good numbers of speckled trout, bluefish, red drum, pompano, and black drum in the deep holes just behind the breakers. Live shrimp on double drop bottom rigs and fish finder rigs have been providing the most consistent action with all species.
Offshore in the Gulf Stream, there has been an excellent wahoo and blackfin tuna bite, with large numbers of yellowfin tuna mixed in recently. Scattered mahi and sailfish are also being caught in the same areas. Small and medium ballyhoo fished around temp breaks, weedlines, and rips will tempt all of these Gulf Stream species, as will assorted trolling plugs. The Big Rock, 90’ Drop, and Swansboro Hole have been the most productive spots recently.
Ryan Asbill, of Raleigh, with a red drum caught in the surf at Fort Macon. The fish fell for cut bait.
Paul, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that the flounder fishing has been excellent, with some citation-quality fish being brought to the scales. Most of these large flounder have been caught around the Port Wall using live mullet on Carolina rigs and kahle hooks. Anglers are also connecting with good numbers of flatfish around ICW docks and deep holes in the Middle Marsh and Haystacks.
Speckled trout are feeding heavily inshore, and anglers are targeting them around the Radio Island and Cape Lookout rock jetties, as well as in the marshes behind the Highway 70 Bridge. Soft plastics like Gulp shrimp and jerk shads on weighted jig heads have been providing the most consistent action with citation-quality specs (and slot-sized reds that are feeding in the same areas). Hard suspending twitch baits and shrimp imitations are also fooling good numbers of both species.
Offshore, anglers are reporting a late season mahi bite in the Gulf Stream, with anglers finding plenty of action with bailer and gaffer-size mahi. While the mahi fishing has been great, the wahoo, blackfin, and yellowfin bite has been the big story out in the Stream. All three species are feeding heavily in the Big Rock area on small and medium ballyhoo, both skirted and naked.
Walt Clark, of Newport, with a wahoo caught trolling dead ballyhoo in 80 degree water. He was fishing out of Morehead City.
Justin, of Breakday Charters, reports that the nearshore false albacore bite has been excellent, with large schools of fish feeding just off of area beaches. Mixed in with the albacore are skipjack tuna, spanish mackerel, and bluefish. Casting flashy jigs like diamond jigs, Stingsilvers, or Epoxy jigs into feeding schools of fish will almost guarantee a hookup from these voracious feeders. King mackerel are feeding in the same area, and they can be fooled with live menhaden on live bait king rigs.
Offshore bottom fishing has been excellent, with anglers finding consistent action with gag grouper and black sea bass in 70-90’ of water. Live pinfish, mullet, and cigar minnows on Carolina rigs with large circle hooks have been producing the most consistent action, but anglers are also connecting with these bottom feeders using 2-3 oz. bucktails tipped with Gulp shrimp and cut bait.
The Ryan Scott, Inc. Greensboro Management Team with their catch after fishing the Big Rock area. They were fishing aboard the “Point of Sail.”
Thomas, of Dancin’ Outlaw Sportfishing Charters, reports that anglers are finding red hot action in the Gulf Stream. Wahoo and blackfin tuna have been providing the best action, but good numbers of yellowfin tuna and mahi are also being caught.
Naked and skirted ballyhoo have been tempting the most bites, but anglers are also reporting success using a variety of trolling plugs as well as dinner-bell style lures.
Bailey, of Oceanana Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with good numbers of false albacore and spanish mackerel while working Gotcha plugs from the end of the pier. Speckled trout, puppy drum, and black drum are being caught just behind the breakers in the suds by anglers soaking fresh shrimp and chunks of crab on fish finder rigs with large circle hooks.
Anglers are also catching spot, sea mullet, and pompano while soaking fresh shrimp on double drop bottom rigs.
